#239- Octobre 2018

Ascensio rouge 2016 - 92-94/100 The 2016 Ventoux Ascensio is 95% Grenache and 5% Syrah, vinified with 30% whole bunches and aged entirely in concrete. It was scheduled to be bottled in August, so it should be released soon. It's plummy and rich, giving an impression of sweetness similar to maple syrup (but being basically dry). Full-bodied, creamy across the mid-palate, with supple tannins, it somehow finishes with a sense of freshness. Artemia rouge 2017 - 92-94/100 A tank sample of the 2017 Ventoux Artemia looked promising, although a bit different in character from previous vintages. It's 75% Syrah and only 25% Grenache, with peppery, cool-climate Syrah notes, blueberryish fruit, ample weight and a clean, crisp, lively finish. Artemia rouge 2016 - 94/100 A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, aged in 50% new oak, the 2016 Ventoux Artemia is a tremendous effort. It combines blueberries and stone fruit with cedary notes and then underscores those attractive aromas and flavors with a full-bodied, velvety texture and a bright, crisp finish. Lovely stuff. Quintessence rouge 2017 - 92-94/100 Looking just as good as the 2016, a prospective blend of the 2017 Ventoux Quintessence had me licking my lips in anticipation. It's full-bodied and rich yet crisp on the finish, just loaded with blueberry fruit and hints of dried spices. Quitessence rouge 2016 - 93/100 A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, the 2016 Ventoux Quintessence continues the success of this cuvée, delivering dark layers of cola, dried spices and plummy fruit. It's full-bodied and plush, with a substantial 40% of new barrels, but it's balanced by 30% of the wine being aged in concrete, giving it richness without being overwhelmingly oaky. The bright, fresh finish seems to guarantee at least 5-8 years of longevity. Quintessence blanc 2017 - 93/100 A blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette (with the Roussanne barrel-fermented and aged), the 2017 Ventoux Quintessence Blanc has hit new highs. Delicate notes of pencil shavings accent honeyed pineapple in this medium to full-bodied wine that's round and rich in the mouth yet balanced by bright acids and hints of lemon and lime zest on the long, mouthwatering finish. Terrasses rouge 2017 - 91-93/100 Showing more intensity and depth than the delicious 2016, the 2017 Ventoux Terrasses (tasted from tank) is a blend of 54% Grenache, 40% Syrah, 4% Cinsault and 2% Mourvèdre. Crushed stone notes accent dried spices and raspberries on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate delivers rich, deep fruit flavors, plenty of concentration and an impressive velvety finish. Terrasses rosé 2017 - 91/100 A blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Syrah, the 2017 Ventoux Terrasses Rose features lovely spice notes of ground cinnamon and clove dusted over strawberry and raspberry fruit. Plump and medium-bodied, this silky wine ends long, with lingering hints of citrus and spice. Terrasses blanc 2017 - 90/100 Floral, fresh and citrusy, the medium-bodied 2017 Vin de France Terrasses Blanc is approximately 70% Viognier, grown in Ventoux at 350 meters above sea level. With a silky texture complemented by a crisp, clean, lemon-lime finish, it's ideal for sipping over the next year or two. Edition 1912M rouge 2017 - 89-91/100The tank sample of the 2017 Ventoux Edition 1912M reviewed here is a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. It's juicy and fun, a fruit-forward blend of black cherries, strawberries and stone fruit. Medium to full-bodied, silky and fine, it's more concentrated than the 2016 and should drink well for up to 5 years. Paradou Grenache rouge 2017 - 88-90/100 The 2017 Vin de France Le Paradou Grenache was tasted as the final blend from tank, with bottling scheduled for July. This medium to full-bodied wine is loaded with dusty black cherries. Round, ample and ripe, it's even a bit chocolaty-rich but remains very smashable. Half of the crop was lost because of frost. Paradou Provence rosé 2017 - 91/100 The 2017 Cotes de Provence Rose Le Paradou is the second vintage produced under this label, from a leased vineyard. True to the style of the other Pesquié rosés, the blend is Cinsault-heavy, at 60% Cinsault, 30% Grenache and 10% Vermentino. It comes across as quite ripe and fruity, with raspberries and strawberries leading the way. It's plump and medium-bodied, rounded yet crisp, with hints of spice and crushed stone on the finish.

#228 - October 2017

Artemia rouge 2016 - 92-94/100 The flagship 2016 Ventoux Artemia is a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah fermented in oak and then aged in 50% new barrels for 18 months. The result is a perfumed, floral and peppery wine, with ample berry fruit and fine, silky tannins. It's not a huge heavyweight but is built more for elegance than for power. The wine shows relatively moderate alcohol, medium body and a long, refreshing finish. Drink it over the next 10 years or so. Ascensio rouge 2015 - 92/100 Partially destemmed and entirely fermented and aged in concrete, the 2015 Ventoux Ascensio is meant to showcase the estate's Grenache (it does include 5% Syrah). The nose of kirsch and raspberry liqueur is indeed striking, as is the volume of the wine in the mouth. Yet it fills that space without excessive weight, moving instead with grace from the front to back of the palate into a long, silky finish tinged with licorice and dried herbs. Quintessence rouge 2016 - 91-94/100 The 2016 Ventoux Quintessence is 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, aged in 40% new barrels. Despite the ample new oak, it doesn't seem overly woody, instead offering up loads of crème de cassis and blueberry fruit. Savory complexity comes in the form of dried herbs and baking spices, plus a dusting of cocoa powder on the long, warming finish. This is a full-bodied and fully ripe wine, but it stays balanced and never comes across as heavy or rustic in the least. Terrasses rouge 2016 - 90/100 A bit more "serious" than the Edition 1912M, the 2016 Ventoux Terrasses delivers what longtime admirers have come to expect from the estate: ample fruit, complexity, weight and charm. Peppered raspberries and hints of garrigue drive the wine from start to finish, bolstered by fine, silky tannins and balanced acids. This solid value blend of Grenache and Syrah should drink well for 4-5 years from vintage. Quintessence blanc 2016 - 91/100 The 2016 Ventoux Quintessence Blanc is 80% Roussanne fermented in oak and 20% Clairette fermented in steel. The wines are then blended and aged in concrete for an additional six months. The result is a wine that combines the toasted nut and pear richness of Roussanne with the citrusy freshness of Clairette. It's a medium to full-bodied wine that shows some briny complexity, excellent flavor definition, focus and length. It should drink well for up to 5 years from the vintage.

Terrasses 2015 - #228 December 2016

Ratings : 92 ptsA smoking good 2015 that readers should snatch up is the 2015 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses, which is 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah that’s aged in a combination of two- to four-year-old barrels and foudres. Medium to full-bodied, polished, silky and with no hard edges, it has classic Southern Rhone notes of Provencal spices, garrigue, licorice and ripe black raspberries. Buy a case and drink bottles over the coming 5-6 years.

Artemia 2007 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 97ptsWhile I questioned if the 2009 Artemia was the greatest wine I'd tasted from Ventoux in my notes, I know for a fact the 2007 Cotesdu Ventoux Cuvee Artemia is the greatest wine I've tasted fromthe estate, and the appellation! A wine that would stand toe totoe with some of the greatest Chateauneuf du Papes out there,this utterly profound Ventoux offers awesome aromatics ofincense, blackberries, crushed flowers, licorice and cured meats.Pure, full-bodied, silky and weightless, yet packed with characterand flavor, it's a truly sensational wine that readers shouldn'tmiss!

Artemia 2009 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 96ptsShockingly good, the 2009 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Artemia is inthe top handful of wines I've tasted from this appellation. Justinsanely perfumed, with tons of incense, Provencal herbs, garrigue,smoked meats and violets, this full-bodied beauty has a stackedmid-palate, building, sweet tannin and a killer finish. Hellobeautiful, why didn't I buy more of you.

Quintessence 2015 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 93-95 ptsTasted as a final blend, the inky colored 2015 Ventoux laQuintessence is a step up over previous vintages, and I suspect itwill be the greatest vintage for this cuvee to date. Not harvesteduntil the 18th of October (which is average to early for thisterroir... they finished on October 31st in 2013), it has sensationalpurity and polish, with full-bodied richness, a big mid-palate, ultra-􀃒ne tannin and killer notes of creme de cassis, blackberries,licorice and graphite. Count me as a fan and it's anther wine thatwill see its 20th birthday in fine form.

Quintessence 2010 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 95 ptsAnother wine that's still an infant is the 2010 Ventoux laQuintessence, which sports a deep purple color, with only a hint ofruby at the rim. Possessing full-bodied richness, impressiveconcentration and fabulous tannin quality (which is a step up overmore recent vintages), this rock star from Ventoux gives up loadsof cassis, licorice, graphite and smoked meats. Given its purity,structure and still youthful character, this impressive Syrah willsee its 20th birthday in fine form.

Quintessence Blanc 2015 - #227 Otober 2016

Ratings : 90-92 ptsTasted out of barrel, the 2015 Ventoux la Quintessence Blanc isalways a blend of Roussanne mixed with 20% Clairette. Fermentedin barrel (the Clairette is all in cement tanks), it has a fresh,elegant, citrus pro􀃒le to go with ample minerality, pepper andstone fruit-like aromas and flavors. Very crisp, medium-bodied andfresh, it has terrific purity and delineation.

Quintessence 2013 - #22October 2016

Ratings : 91+ ptsSimilarly colored to the 2014, the opaque ruby/purple colored2013 Ventoux la Quintessence is more backwards andconcentrated than the 2014 and offers lots of graphite, black andblue fruits, smoke and caramelized meats in its structured, tannic,medium-bodied, yet ripe pro􀃒le. Still a baby, it needs 2-3 years ofcellaring and will drink well through 2028.

Artemia 2015 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 93-95ptsTasted out of barrel and a rough blend of 60% Syrah and 40%Grenache (which is a slight shift towards Syrah), the 2015 Cotes duVentoux Cuvee Artemia will be the 􀃒rst vintage where they'veincluded a small portion of whole cluster. This beauty's deeppurple color is followed by upfront, intense notes of pepper, spice,sweet oak and dark fruits. These give way to a full-bodied,concentrated and seamless 2015 that has tons of fruit, polishedtannin and straight up sensational purity. It will benefit from shortterm cellaring and have 15 years of overall longevity.

Quintessence Blanc 2010 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 91 ptsStill showing a healthy light gold color, the 2010 Ventoux laQuintessence Blanc has evolved into a mineral-laced, rich andslightly honeyed e􀃗ort that has beautiful notes of white currants,crushed rock and even a hint of petrol to go with a mediumbodied,fresh, balanced and classic feel on the palate. It will keepnicely for another 4-5 years, although there's no need to hold off.

Quintessence 2014 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 91 ptsA vintage the estate is excited about as they loved the quality ofthe Syrah (don't forget that Ventoux is quite a ways from theRhone Valley and have their own climate), the 2014 Ventoux laQuintessence is 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache aged in acombination of new, once and twice used barrels. Medium-bodied,pure and elegant, with lots of pepper, flowers, cassis and a touchof vanilla aromas and flavors, it needs a touch more polish to itstannin, but it's a beautiful Syrah that will keep for a decade.

Quintessence 2012 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 92ptsA rounded, sexy wine that shows the vintage nicely, the 2012Ventoux la Quintessence sports a medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling, layered style as well as impressive purity in its blackraspberry, licorice, graphite and smoked meat aromas and flavors.It still has some chewy, rustic tannin to integrate, yet is certainlydrinking nicely today.

Quintessence 1999 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 92 ptsProving the longevity of this cuvee and the quality of terroir, the1999 Ventoux la Quintessence is a classy, beautifully mature andelegant red that o􀃗ers a great ruby color to go with loads of kirsch,blackberries, ground herbs and earth. Possessing no hard edges,fully integrated tannin and a great 􀃒nish, enjoy bottles over thecoming couple of years.

Artemia 2011 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 93ptsA wine I wish I had a case of, the 2011 Cotes du Ventoux CuveeArtemia just screams Provence on the nose with its sun-filledarray of kirsch, blackberry, ground herbs, peppery spice andcrushed flowers. While a lot of 2011s come up short onconcentration and depth, this beauty is perfectly balanced, has alayered, seamless texture and fine tannin, all suggesting it willevolve nicely through 2023.

Artemia 2006 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 93 ptsLike the 2006 Quintessence cuvee, the 2006 Cotes du VentouxCuvee Artemia has a cool climate, elegant feel in its olive, garrigue,spice and assorted red and black fruit-driven pro􀃒le. It is 􀃒nessedrivenon the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness,beautiful fruit and a complex, ready to go style. Drink this beautyover the coming 4-5 years.

Artemia 2010 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 93+ ptsDarker in color than the 2011, the 2010 Cotes du Ventoux CuveeArtemia offers a more reticent, backwards style to go with notes ofgraphite, cassis, licorice and crushed violets. Medium to fullbodied,supple and with terri􀃒c purity of fruit (which is common in2010), this beauty opens up with time in the glass, has polishedtannin and will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.

Quintessence 2011 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 93 pts Showing beautifully, with tons of Provencal charm in its kirsch,blackberries, peppery spice and licorice aromas and 􀃓avors, the2011 Ventoux la Quintessence is medium to full-bodied, silky,seamless and downright impossible to resist. Possessing beautifulpurity of fruit and a more exotic, 􀃓oral character with time in theglass, it's drinking the best of all of the younger vintages.Nevertheless, it will continue to evolve nicely through 2025.

Artemia 2014 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 92 ptsA seriously good 2014 that's always a mix of equal parts Grenacheand Syrah, the 2014 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Artemia was showingbeautifully on this occasion, even though it had just been bottled afew weeks ago. Possessing a finesse-driven, elegant, moderatelyconcentrated, yet sexy style, with tons of black raspberry, violetsand spice, it's ideal for drinking in its youth while you wait on themore structured, concentrated vintages to get some bottle age.

Artemia 2012 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 93ptsWhile not made in 2013, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux CuveeArtemia (50/50 Grenache and Syrah) is another elegant, gorgeouslypure wine that o􀃗ers medium to full-bodied richness, loads of􀃓owers, violets and black raspberry aromas and flavors, as well assensational tannin quality. It has the polish and balance to drinknicely now, but it has another decade of longevity.

Quintessence 2008 - #227 October 2016

Ratings : 90ptsWhat is certainly a success in the vintage, the 2008 Ventoux laQuintessence is more youthful and fresh than a number ofChateauneuf du Pape (which, actually isn't a fair comparison giventhe higher Syrah content here). Notes of olives, crushed rocks,pepper and assorted dark fruits all emerge from this mediumbodied,elegant, pure and balanced wine that's drinking at point.Enjoy it through 2020.

#223 March 2016 - Jeb Dunnuck

While 2013 and 2014 were difficult in the southern Rhone, readers should keep in mind that Ventoux is a huge region that has a varied climate that’s often quite different than what’s seen closer to the Rhone River. Chateau Pesquie is without a doubt one of the top estate in Ventoux and the wines are under-priced given their quality.

2014 Château Pesquié Terrasses Rouge - #223 March 2016

Rating : 91 pointsAlways a terrific value, the 2014 Ventoux Terrasses is no exception and offers complex, classic southern Rhone notes of dried garrigue, pepper, spice-box, licorice and sweet cherry fruit. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, elegant and balanced red that gains depth and richness with time in the glass, has loads Provencal character and a great finish. Made from a blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah that was aged in tank and old barrels, it can last for 7-8 years (I know as I just finished a case of the ’05, which was still going strong at age 10.)

2013 Château Pesquié Quintessence Rouge - #223 March 2016

Rating : 90+ pointsThe estate Syrah-dominated blend is the 2013 Cotes du Ventoux La Quintessence. Incorporating 20% Grenache, completely destemmed and aged 12-15 months in 40% new barrels, its inky purple color is followed by a terrific perfume of liquid blackberries, smoked meats, roasted herbs and crushed rock. Medium to full-bodied, moderately concentrated and beautifully pure, it has a tight core of tannin and no shortage of cut or precision on the finish. I’d like a touch more mid-palate density, but the purity of fruit and quality of the tannin is outstanding. Give it a year or so in bottle and enjoy bottles through 2023 or longer.

2014 Château Pesquié Quintessence Blanc - #223 March 2016

Rating : 90 pointsA terrific white from this under the radar appellation, the 2014 Cotes du Ventoux la Quintessence Blanc is a blend of 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette, from higher elevation limestone soils, that’s aged in a combination of stainless steel (Clairette) and barrel (Roussanne). Made in a crisp, racy, medium-bodied style, it offers exotic notes of lychee nut, honeyed grapefruit, tangerine and even orange blossom on the nose. Borderline lean, it gains a touch more richness with time, has beautiful fruit and a clean, dry finish. It will drink well for 2-3 years.

2014 Château Pesquié Terrasses Rosé - #219 Jun. 2015

Rating : 89 pointsChateau Pesquie always releases a superb rose, and their 2014 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses is no exception. Made from 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Syrah, it leans heavily towards the fresher, leaner end of the spectrum, yet still stays balanced and enjoyable. Strawberry, raspberry, sappy pine and hints of flowers all emerge from this solid effort, and it will be a great meal starter over the coming 6-8 months.

2013 Château Pesquié Terrasses Rouge - #216 Jan. 2015

Rating : 91 pointsThe 2013 Ventoux Terrasses offer gorgeous garrigue, white pepper, underbrush and sweet berry fruit to go with a forward, seamless, elegant style on the palate. Year in and year out this cuvee isan incredible value and a no brainer that readers need to buy.

2013 Château Pesquié Quintessence Blanc - #216 Jan. 2015

Rating : 91 pointsEasily one of my favorite whites from this up and coming region, Pesquie’s 2013 Ventoux Quintessence Blanc knocks it out of the park with its gorgeous apple, pear, brioche and lemon curd-scented bouquet. Medium-bodied, fresh and pure, with good richness and length, it’s a rock star bottle to buy by the case.

2012 Château Pesquié Artemia - #216 Jan. 2015

Rating : 93 pointsShowing more Grenache character (this cuvee is a 50/50 blend of Grenache and Syrah), the 2012 Ventoux Artemia has awesome black raspberry, garrigue, sweet spice and creamy licorice aromas and flavors all soaring from the glass. Hard to resist, it’s medium to full-bodied, voluptuous and downright sexy on the palate, with polished tannin, beautiful mid-palate depth and no shortage of length through the finish. It’s a thrilling wine to enjoy over the coming 5-6 years, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see it evolve for longer.

2012 Château Pesquié Quintessence Rouge - #216 Jan. 2015

Rating : 92 pointsDeeper and richer than the Terrasses, the Syrah dominated 2012 Ventoux Quintessence has a fabulous perfume of black raspberry, violets, vanilla bean and licorice. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied red that a forward, sexy, supple texture and no hard edges. More approachable right out of the gate than is normal for this cuvee, it should drink nicely though 2020

2013 Château Pesquié Terrasses Rosé - #212 May. 2014

Rating : 90 pointsElegant, supple, and pure, with notions of white peach, rose and strawberry, the 2013 Ventoux Terrasses Rose is medium-bodied, lightly textured, pure and deliciously quaffable on the palate. Made from a direct press of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, it’s a perfect hot summer day effort to enjoy over the coming 4-5 months.

2010 Château Pesquié Artemia - #211 Feb. 2014

Rating : 93 pointsThe top cuvee from one of the benchmark estates in the Ventoux, the 2010 Cotes du Ventoux Artemia is a blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah, with the Grenache coming from 80+-year-old vines and the Syrah from 50+-year-old vines. Aged 18 months in barrel, it offers a deep, rich and layered profile of blackberry, licorice, underbrush and ground herbs. Showing more chocolaty nuances with air, it’s a serious, medium to full-bodied wine that has beautiful balance, a great mid-palate and fantastic length. Give it another year or two, and enjoy it over the following decade.

2012 Château Pesquié Terrasses Red - #210 Dec 2013

Rating : 92 pointsIn the same mold and an awesome value year in and year out, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses is a blend of 70% Grenache (60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah (30+-year-old vines) that was aged two-thirds in concrete (and some in stainless steel) and one-third in older oak. Made from a blend of different terroirs on the estate (and basically declassified Quintessence) and coming from hillside vineyards lying between 840-930 feet in elevation, it offers up a gorgeously pure, supple and seamless profile with kirsch and berry-styled fruit, licorice and spring flower-like qualities all emerging from the glass. Elegant, forward and delicious, it gains in stature in the glass, is ridiculously textured from such an inexpensive wine, and has sweet tannin emerging on the finish. Buy this thrill ride of a Cotes du Ventoux by the case and enjoy bottles over the coming 3-5 years.

2012 Château Pesquié Terrasses White - #210 Dec. 2013

Rating : 89 pointsThe 2012 VDF Cuvee des Terrasses Blanc (which is bottled as a Vin de France) is comprised of 70% Viognier, 15% Roussanne and 15% Clairette that comes all from limestone soils. Aged all in cement tank and stainless steel, this juicy, medium-bodied and straight up delicious effort has notions of lavender, apricot, honey blossom and poached pear all emerging from the glass. Enjoy it over the coming couple of years.

2012 Château Pesquié Quintessence White - #210 Dec 2013

Rating : 91 pointsMore serious and rich, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux La Quintessence Blanc is 80% Roussanne, 15% Clairette and 5% Viognier that was fermented and aged in new and 1-year-old barrels. Loaded with notions of tropical fruits, honeysuckle, toast and white peach, it is medium-bodied, beautifully fresh and shows loads of class and length on the finish. It also stays remarkably fresh and focused and will be versatile on the dinner table.

2011 Château Pesquié Quintessence Red - #210 Dec 2013

Rating : 91 pointsAlso superb, the 2011 Cotes du Ventoux La Quintessence comes from terraced hillside vineyards located in the northern part of the appellation. Made from 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, and aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak, it sports a perfumed, spice-driven profile with raspberry ganache, red licorice, wild herbs and pepper-like qualities all emerging from the glass. Balanced, fresh and elegant, with medium to full-bodied richness, knockout texture and chewy tannin, it should shine for 5-7 years.

2012 Château Pesquié Quintessence Red - #210 Dec. 2013

Rating : 91-93+ pointsTasted out of tank, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux La Quintessence looks just as good. Juicy and fresh, with the approachableness of the vintage, it gives up ample flowers, garrigue, licorice and copious black and blue fruits to go with a medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured and seamless profile. The same blend and elevage as the 2011, it should drink nicely for upward of a decade. As a side note, I was able to taste the first vintage of this cuvee, the 1990, and it was still youthful in color and drinking beautifully, so don’t underestimate the ageability of this cuvee.

2011 Château Pesquié Artemia - #210 Dec 2013

Rating : 91 pointsShowing even better than when I tasted it last year, the 2011 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Artemia is comprised of equal parts Grenache (80+ year-old vines) and Syrah (50+ year-old vines), and spends 18 months in half new and half used barrels. Loaded with gorgeously pure, blackberry, cassis, spice, chalky minerality and floral notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, no hard edges and integrated, juicy acidity. Enjoy it over the coming 10-12 years or more.

2012 Château Pesquié Artemia - #210 Dec 2013

Rating : 92 - 94 pointsPossessing additional purity, as well as more obvious minerality, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee Artemia (tasted prior to bottling as a final blend) offers similar levels of creme de cassis, blackberry, crushed rock and violet characteristics, as well as medium to full-bodied richness, thrilling purity and loads of class. It will drink nicely on release, yet have no problem evolving for over a decade.

2010 Château Pesquié Terrasses Red - #195 Jun. 2011

Rating: 94 points The 2010 from Pesquié Terrasses, one of my all-time favorite producers in France, is a phenomenal bargain. This wine is absolutely stunning, and the best one they have made to date, and is a brilliant showcase for what looks to be another great vintage in the southern Rhône. A blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, with 65% aged in tank and the rest in old barrels and foudres, it is bottled unfined and unfilteret for the American market. It's just terrific, and the good news is that there are 7,000 cases, which is a rarety in this business - finding something spectacular in quality, low in price, with excellent availability. Its stunning dense bluish/purple color offers up notes of sweet blueberries, black cherry liqueur, licorice, incense, and hint of hot rocks (almost gravelly, in the Bordeaux senses), but the wine hits the palate with amazing texture, succulence, fabulous fruit intensity, vivid purity and a vigorous, long, fresh finish that goes on past 30 seconds. Amazing for a $15 wine, it can probably be found discounted at $12-13. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

2009 Château Pesquié Quintessence Red - #195 Jun. 2011

Rating: 93 points The 2009 Quintessence, which has just been released. This is a serious wine on its own, and certainly capable of lasting a decade or more, but the vintage quality of 2010 has produced remarkable fruit, with the best concentration and purity of fruit that I have seen in the southern Rhône since 2007, which remains the single greatest vintage I have ever tasted from that region. This blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, aged in barrels for 12 months (40% new and 60% two years old) and bottled unfined and unfiltered, has a dense purple color and deep licorice, graphite, black currant and black cherry notes with hints of earth and spice as well as some pepper and meat juice in a dense, medium to full-bodied, slightly more tannic style than the 2010 Terrasses. To reiterate, it should last for at least a decade.

2006 Château Pesquié Terrasses Red - #181 Feb. 2009

Rating: 90 points The unfined/unfiltered 2006 Les Terrasses Rouge, a custom cuvee made for American importer Eric Solomon, is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a lovely bouquet of black currants, black cherries, licorice, smoke, roasted herbs, and melted licorice. Deep and full-bodied with velvety tannins, goods acidity, and a long finish, this is a heck-of-a wine to drink over the next 4-5 years.

2005 Château Pesquié Quintessence Red - #181 Feb. 2009

Rating: 93 points Pesquie's top cuvee, the 2005 Quintessence, comes from 80% old vine Syrah and 20% Grenache aged in new French oak for 12 months before being bottled with no fining or filtration. This is an opaque purple-hued, classic, cool climate Syrah from southern France. The higher elevation gives the wine great acidity as well as an extraordinary bouquet of acacia flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, tar, licorice, and spice. Deep, full-bodied, and layered, this gorgeous offering should drink beautifully for 5-7 years. This is the benchmark estate for fabulous wine in the Cotes du Ventoux. Even with the weak American dollar, it can still be purchased for a song.

2005 Château Pesquié Terrasses Red - #175 Feb. 2008

Rating: 92 points Château Pesquie is the finest estate in the Côtes du Ventoux, a gorgeous area east of Avignon. The best bargain is their blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, the 2005 Les Terrasses. These old vines have produced a deep ruby/purple-hued wine offering notes of licorice, black olives, kirsch liqueur, spice, and pepper. Full-bodied with loads of fruits as well as a generous, savory mouthfeel, it is best drunk over the next several years.

2004 Château Pesquié Quintessence Red - #169 Feb. 2007

Rating: 91 points Quintessence, a blend of 80% Syrah from 40-year-old vines and 20% Grenache from 80-year-old vines, all in the cooler northern zone in the Cotes du Ventoux appellation. This wine is aged in French oak for 12 months then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Dense ruby/purple to the rim with a big, sweet nose of graphite, black currant liqueur, licorice, as well as smoke, flowers, and barbecue spice, it is full-bodied, has superb fruit, beautiful texture, and a long, heady finish.

2004 Château Pesquié Artemia - #169 Feb. 2007

Rating: 91 points An equal-part blend of Grenache and Syrah fermented and aged in small oak casks. This wine exhibits dense ruby/purple color, peppery, earthy notes with plenty of kirsch as well as blacker fruits intermixed with some camphor, pain grille, and spice. The wine is more tannic than its two siblings, but impressively rich and long. It should age nicely for up to a decade.

2003 Château Pesquié Quintessence Red - #156 Dec. 2004

Rating: (90-92 points) The brilliant 2003 Cotes du Ventoux Quintessence (80% Syrah and 20% Grenache) was aged entirely in wood. This 5,000-case cuvee represents one of the best buys in southern France. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by a classic bouquet of blackberry liqueur, new saddle leather, melted licorice, pepper, and a whiff of white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuous, with superb purity, loads of flavor, and no hard edges, this is a seamless, sexy red to enjoy during its first 5-7 years of life.

2003 Château Pesquié Quintessence White - #156 Dec 2004

Rating: 91 points One of the superstar estates of the Cotes du Ventoux (located in the village of Mormoiron), Chateau Pesquie’s 2003 Cotes du Ventoux Quintessence blanc is a 6,000-bottle blend of Clairette and Roussanne. Among the finest dry whites I have tasted from this region, this tank-aged effort exhibits aromas of orange marmalade, citrus oils, pears, peaches, and honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied and fleshy, it is best consumed over the next 1-2 years.

2000 Château Pesquié Quintessence Red - #147 Jun. 2003

Rating: 92 points The estate’s top cuvee, the 2000 Quintessence, is amazing stuff! A formidably endowed, inky purple offering, it is full-bodied, dense, chewy, and loaded with broodingly backward, thick flavors of blackberries, cherries, and licorice. This blend of old vine Grenache (60%) and Syrah (40%) is an unctuously-textured, gorgeously thick, rich effort that represents the essence of this property’s vineyards. It should hit its stride in 1-2 years, and last for 10-12, possibly longer. It held up three days without any fruit deterioration.

Ascensio red 2015 (17/20)Good freshness! Very rich on the nose and yet with massive tension. Impressive!

November 2016 ratings

Artemia 2015 (16.5+/20)Very rich, sweet nose with well-worked tannins in abundance. Dense and briary blend of Grenache and Syrah with quite marked acidity. Needs lots of time. The finish is quite dry and almost chalky-textured at the moment.

Terrasses red 2015 (16/20)This is a Grenache/Syrah blend but the sweet Grenache is to the fore on the nose. Then comes the tarry firmness of the Syrah on the finish. This is pretty serious, with a really strong liquorice streak. I can’t imagine what the Artemia and Quintessence are going to be like! Very ambitious but by no means overdone. Exciting.

Quintessence red 2015 (17/20)Syrah dominates this blend with Grenache. Deep crimson. Very rich and sweet and satisfying, but with great potential for ageing. Hedonistic with very finely managed tannins and attractive lift.

Quintessence white 2015 (16/20)Very heady nose with a mix of honeysuckle and flowering herbs. Excellent texture and good acidity with a hint of saltiness. Pretty good balance between sweetness and chewiness. Still a bit too tense - I'd wait just a while for it to relax. Drink 2017-2021

Rhône 2014 - The rest of Southern Rhône - December 28th 2015

Artemia 2014 AOC Ventoux (17/20) : "This is the estate's top wine, made from an equal blend of Grenache from one vineyard and Syrah from another. Mid healthy crimson. Very lively and energetic nose without any obvious oak and some well integrated fruit and some real minerally succulence. Already an exciting drink but it should be worth ageing. Cool, fresh and very Ventoux."Quintessence White 2014 AOC Ventoux (16/20) : "Pale gold. Really quite rich and slightly oaky on the nose. Broad and opulent with a very slightly sour edge. Pretty ambitious and distinctive. More forward than the Fondrèche whites. More refreshing than many whites made lower down closer to Châteauneuf but not that intense. Not quite as exciting as some vintages."Quintessence Red 2014 AOC Ventoux (16/20) : "Exceptionally deep, blackish crimson. A trace of oak on the nose but the sweet fruit sings out on the palate already. This seems more like an internationally styled red rather than a Ventoux. Still lots of tannin. Sweet and veering towards blockbuster. A little hot on the end."Les Terrasses Red 2014 AOC Ventoux (16/20) : "Light to mid crimson. Quite evolved nose. Very pretty, juicy, succulent fruit. Super-friendly and charming with an attractive sucky-stony streak on the finish. Very confident and correct. Cool finish after this very ample fruit. Not the most complex wine but very well balanced."

Rhône 2013 - rest of southern Rhône - November 21rst 2014

Quintessence Blanc 2013 (16/20) : 80% barrel-fermented Roussanne, 20% Clairette grown on a calcareous terrace at 300 m. Racy, herbal and very lively. Artemia 2006 (17/20) : This was a great vintage in late-maturing sites such as Ste Cosme and Pesquié. A 50:50 blend of high-altitude old Grenache and Syrah at 400 m on old galets. Fermented in foudre and raised in barriques. More youthful than Ste-Cosme's Le Claux 2006, although this was apparently an especially youthful bottle. Terrasses Rouge 2013 (16/20) : Grenache was down by 30% this year so the Syrah portion has increased from 30 to 55%. Bottled in June 2014. Juicy, sleek and very friendly. Not that persistent but very well made. Quintessence Rouge 2013 (16.5/20) : Tank sample. Very dark. 20% Grenache as usual and the rest is Syrah. 40% new oak; mainly barriques. Very rich and sweet. Perhaps a bit more conventional and ‘international’-tasting than the Terrasses bottling. Young and toothsome. This wine certainly doesn't look like an underripe vintage! (They picked their last grapes on 31 October. No Artemia will be produced in 2013.)

Rhône 2012 - Southern Whites and Rosés - January 2nd 2014

Terrasses Red 2012 (15,5/20) : 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah. Hardly any oak, just a little old oak. Very jolly, lively and friendly even if far from serious. Quintessence Red 2012 (16,5/20) : Big and bold. Tarry and lively. So rich it tastes almost exaggerated ! Much rider than the average Syrah. Artemia 2012 (17/20) : The Grenache is particulary juicy, boisterous and Châteauneuf-like. This is clearly made for the long term. Some real agreability. Impressive ! Terrasses White 2012 (15,5/20) : It's a bit more interesting than the Paradou Blanc but is still a little heavy on fermentation aromas and a sweetish mid palate precedes a pinched end. Quintessence White 2012 (16,5/20) : Fresh, honey and mint aromas. Extremely nervy and, for instance, quite different from Beaucastel's rich version. Fine and fresh ; elegant and subtle. Long.

Flint Wines - December 9th 2010

Terrasses Red 2008 (16/20) : Extremely rich for this combination of appellation and vintage - On the nose anyway. On the palate it is a little more elevated. Very tingly and lively. Obviously hand crafted and very fair value. Solid artisanal wine for less than a tenner is not to be sniffed at. A little chewy.

The Rhône Gang by Jancis Robinson - December 11th 2009

Ch Pesquié, Quintessence 2008 Côtes du Ventoux white (17/20) 80% Roussanne on gravelly calcareous soil at yields under 30 hl/ha. Contains 20% Clairette for acidity at 40/45 hl/ha. The Roussanne is barrel fermented and kept until Feb before blending and bottling in June. No malolactic fermentation. Fine, intense aroma. Very pure and linear rather textbook Roussanne. Very fine and direct and bone dry - quite different from most Rhône whites!

Ch Pesquié, Les Terrasses 2008 Côtes du Ventoux red (15,5/20) 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Lively and relatively simple. Juicy and very uncomplicated, though there is rather a fast fade.

Ch Pesquié, Les Terrasses 2007 Côtes du Ventoux red (16/20) Big mix of soils. Tiny bit of Cinsault and Carignan in this. Very fresh and with much more juice and density than in the 2008. Fizzing my life now.

Ch Pesquié, Quintessence 2007 Côtes du Ventoux red (17/20) 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache grown on limestone. 40-60-year-old vines with yields of just 35 hl/ha. One year in oak, half new. Not much nose but amazing depth on the palate. Brooding and very impressive, though apparently the 2007s are starting to close up a little.

Ch Pesquié, Quintessence 2005 Côtes du Ventoux red (16.5/20) Very dark crimson. Some development on the nose. Sweet and smooth and charming, though with a bit of Syrah tautness on the finish. Serious wine though a little more spindly than lower-altitude wines.

Ch Pesquié, Artemia 2007 Côtes du Ventoux red (17/20) 50:50 Grenache and Syrah co-fermented and very old vines, up to 80 years old. Half new oak and they are hoping to age the wine for 15 years. Very juicy and sweet and flattering. So sweet and rich! Chewy finish. Exciting, full of potential though still very tight.

Wine of the week : Terrasses 2007 - March 10th 2009

Those who have been visiting this site regularly for the last few months will know how enthusiastic I am about 2007 Rhône reds, especially those from the south. See our Guide to Rhône tasting notes - and should be aware that yet more will be added before long, both on the northern Rhône and on wines from the south other than Châteauneuf du Pape. The other day I was tasting my way through the 2007s currently being offered by UK importer OW Loeb and was knocked out by Ch Pesquié,Les Terrasses 2007 Côtes du Ventoux. This seriously excellent producer on the slopes of the Côtes du Ventoux (pictured here) has 80 hectares in total, enough to warrant employing stagiaires from a wide range of countries each harvest. The Loeb catalogue tells us that this year the Chaudières of Pesquié employed cellar rats not just from the US, Canada and Australia bu also from South Korea and Japan. I'm sure I have already written about the year I spent in Provence in the mid 1970s when Mont Ventoux was the dominant landmark. A that time the wines of Côtes du Ventoux were thin, tart renditions of the local Grenache grape. This Terrasses cuvée is sweet, round and rich with that delightful herby overlay of successful southern Rhône reds - lovely stuff! It's silky and almost drinkable already but with lots of fine tannin tucked underneath to keep it lively over the next three years at least. (OW Loeb suggest you can keep it until 2015, which is unusual indeed for a wine that is currently being offered for just £56 a dozen bottles in bond.) About 40% of Les Terrasses was aged in older barrels with the rest aged in stainless steel - and very nice too - lovely juicy fruit. This is a wine that could be enjoyed with a wide range of meaty dishes. If you like southern Rhône reds but don't like tough tannins or the price of the most famous Châteauneufs, you should seriously consider this great value and pleasure offered by Pesquié's Les Terrasses.

Tasting Article #488 - April 24th 2008

Quintessence White 2006 (16/20) : Honeysuckle and round and exciting. Ready to drink this instant - Though could do with a little more acid. Quintessence Red 2006 (16/20) : Nose a little subdued but lively rich palate - Even though the acidity is spiky.

More 2004 Southern Rhône reds - March 8th 2006

Terrasses 2004 (16/20) : Smooth, relatively poslished nose - super fruity and well managed. A hint of ink but really nice wine for early drinking. Tannins very well hidden. Quintessence Rouge 2004 (15.5/20) : Very, very sweet, oaky nose. This is surely a wine to dab behind the ears rather than drink. So sweet it's just not refreshing. Arresting all right but not for me. Artemia 2004 (16/20) : This seems a little more confortable than the Quintessence - perhaps the fruit is more concentrated and better able to deal with all that toasty oak. Sweet, worked. Surely a stage towards where they want to go rather then the destination ? Rather Burgundian oak with a hint of coffee.

Southern Rhône Reds - Selection Vintage 2001 - July 17th 2003

The three reds from Château Pesquié have been in Jancis Robinson's selection of 15 Southern Rhone Red wines from Vintage 2001: 2001 Terrasses (14/20) : Bright crimson with a sweet and slightly sweaty nose and hints of Bovril. Big and alcoholic, but too hot.

2001 Prestige (16,5/20) : Sweet and full and round. All corners of the palate are filled. This has a lovely spice but there is pretty severe tannin at the end. Convincing.

2001 Quintessence (16/20) : Lots of oak! Very, very meaty again and quite tough. This may calm down and is certainly very ambitious. Chewy

Wine of the week : les terrasses 2000 - October 8th 2002

This is modern Côtes du Ventoux, from an extensive and thoroughly renovated 72-hectare family property on which the Chaudières obviously have the confidence to invest in all the right things: large, modern winery, good landscaping, lutte raisonnée (verging-on-organic viticulture), good-quality oak, own bottling line...

Sheltered from the cold north wind, the vineyards slope southwards at a reasonably high altitude (around 500m) on gravels and pebbly soils. Les Terrasses is their basic bottling, but even this blend of 60 per cent Grenache and 40 per cent Syrah is made from vines which have been dug into the local Provençal landscape for between four and six decades.

It's a much deeper crimson than the Ventoux average (though not as exaggeratedly so as their two superior cuvées, Prestige and Quintessence) and has all the broad, concentrated, spicy appeal of a southern Rhône wine with a slightly subalpine lift. Rich, flattering and racy.

JebDunnuck.com Jeb Dunnuck

Rhône Report - August 2018

Quintessence blanc 2017 - 93/100 The 2017 Ventoux Quintessance Blanc is another pure, elegant, exuberant white from this estate offering a great bouquet of tangerines, white peach, flowers, and crushed rock. Clean, pure, finesse-driven, and complex, with a crisp finish that carries ample minerality, it's a terrific effort that competes with any number of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blancs. Terrasses rouge 2017 - 90-93/100 A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the 2017 Ventoux Terrasses has been a perennial winner over the past decade, and the 2017 isn't going to break the trend. Blackberries, crushed rocks, peppery herbs, and graphite notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, balanced red that has enough tannin and depth to keep for over a decade. Edition 1912M rouge 2017 - 90-92/100 From higher elevation sites and mostly Grenache brought up all in concrete and stainless steel, the 2017 Ventoux Edition 1912M offers a blast of black raspberry and cherry fruit to go with ample minerality, medium to full body, good acidity, and ripe yet present tannin. It's a mineral-laced, outstanding tank sample that will drink nicely for 8-10 years. Quintessence rouge 2017 - 92-94/100 The 2017 Ventoux Quintessence is the Syrah-dominated cuvée, 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache brought up mostly in demi-muids, which is where this estate is moving more and more. It has a little bit of a Côte-Rôtie vibe in its ripe raspberry and blackberry fruits, floral, and peppery herb-driven aromas and flavors, and hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ample tannins, and a building sense of minerality on the finish. Artemia rouge 2017 - 93-97/100 The 2017 Ventoux Artemia is 75% Syrah and 15% Grenache, and it's the more Hermitage-like cuvée in the lineup. Plums, blackberries, crushed violets, spice, and exotic floral and peach pit notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, balanced Syrah that has fine, elegant tannins, good acidity, and a big finish. Anyone doubting the quality now coming from these dedicated producers in the Ventoux region needs to try these wines! Ascensio rouge 2016 - 95/100 Mostly Grenache (5% Syrah) made with 30% stems, brought up all in concrete, the 2016 Ventoux Ascensio sports an inky purple color as well as sensational notes of blackberries, plums, licorice, violets, and crushed rocks. It's deep, full-bodied, pure, and primordial, with ample tannin and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age but is blockbuster stuff.

Rhône Report - February 2018

Terrasses rosé 2017 - 90/100The 2017 Terrasses Rosé sports a Provencal salmon color as well as terrific notes of orange blossom, hints of cherries, spices, and a distinct saltiness that keeps you coming back to the glass. Clean, beautifully made and vibrant, it’s an outstanding Rosé to drink over the coming 6-12 months. This cuvee is a blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, and 10% Syrah, brought up all in tank.

Artemia

2017: 93-96/100 "The 2017 Ventoux Artemia is 75% Syrah and 15% Grenache, and it's the more Hermitage-like cuvée in the lineup. Plums, blackberries, crushed violets, spice, and exotic floral and peach pit notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, balanced Syrah that has fine, elegant tannins, good acidity, and a big finish. Anyone doubting the quality now coming from these dedicated producers in the Ventoux region needs to try these wines!" Août 2018 - Rhône Report2016: 94/100 "Made from equal parts Syrah and Grenache, the 2016 Ventoux Cuvee Artemia is another terrific vintage for this cuvee. Still young, backward and unevolved, it has tons of potential in its blue fruits, graphite, crushed rock and violet-tinged aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, with terrific purity of fruit, and fine, building tannin, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will keep for a decade or more." Octobre 2017 - Rhône Report2011: 92/100 "Also outstanding and the top wine of the estate, the 2011 Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Artemia is comprised of equal parts Grenache (80+ year-old vines) and Syrah (50+ year-old vines), and spends 18 months in half new and half used barrels. Very pure, soft, and supple, with an elegant, seductive bouquet that makes you want to take a drink, it possesses loads of blackberry, sappy wild herbs, and kirsch to go with a mouth filling, gorgeously textured and seamless palate profile. Beautifully done, with awesome purity of fruit, it is a great Ventoux that can be consumed now of cellared for 4-5 years." Mars 2013 - Issue#152010: 93/100 "A knockout effort and one of the top wines of the appellation, the 2010 Artemia is a blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah (from very low yields) that is aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. Deep, rich, and layered, with gorgeous aromas of black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, and chocolate, this full-bodied, concentrated Ventoux stays remarkably fresh and pure on the palate, with layers of fruit, brilliant concentration, and a structured finish. There is a slight sheen of oak here, so give bottles another 1-2 years in the cellar. It should age effortlessly for a decade." Mars 2013 - Issue#152009: 93/1002007: 93/1002005 : 92/100

Quintessence Rouge

2017: 92-94/100"The 2017 Ventoux Quintessence is the Syrah-dominated cuvée, 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache brought up mostly in demi-muids, which is where this estate is moving more and more. It has a little bit of a Côte-Rôtie vibe in its ripe raspberry and blackberry fruits, floral, and peppery herb-driven aromas and flavors, and hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ample tannins, and a building sense of minerality on the finish." Août 2018 - Rhône Report2016: 91/100"Lastly, the Syrah dominated cuvee (there’s 20% Grenache) is the 2016 Ventoux Cuvee Quintessence. It’s another deep purple colored wine that has terrific purity in its black and blue fruits, ground pepper, olive and graphite aromas and flavors. Deep, rich and full-bodied, with beautiful polish to its tannin, this beauty will benefit from short-term cellaring and have 15-20 years of overall longevity." Octobre 2017 - Rhône Report2011: 91/100"The 2011 Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Quintessence is a superb 2011 that comes from terraced hillside vineyards located in the northern part of the appellation. Made from 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache, and aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak, it sports a perfumed, spice-driven profile with raspberry ganache, red licorice, wild herbs, and pepper-like qualities all emerging from the glass. Balanced, fresh, and elegant, with medium to full-bodied richness, knockout texture, and chewy tannin, it should shine for 5-7 years." Mars 2013 - Issue#152007: 93/100

Terrasses Rouge

2017 : 90-93/100"A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, the 2017 Ventoux Terrasses has been a perennial winner over the past decade, and the 2017 isn't going to break the trend. Blackberries, crushed rocks, peppery herbs, and graphite notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, balanced red that has enough tannin and depth to keep for over a decade." Rhône Report - Août 20182016 : 91/100"A year in year out no-brainer is the Terrasses cuvee from this estate, and the 2016 Ventoux Terrasses is no exception. A blend of 70/30 Grenache and Syrah, it offers a terrific perfume of black cherries, wild herbs, dried flowers, and spice. This gives way to a plum, sexy, beautifully textured red that has surprising minerality, medium-bodied depth and richness and fine tannin. I finished a case of the 2005 just last year, and it was still going strong, so while there’s no need to cellar bottle, it will keep nicely for 7-8 years." Rhône Report - Octobre 20172012: 92/100 "Following on the heels of the outstanding 2010 and 2011, the 2012 Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Terrasses is up there with the best vintage of the cuvee to date. Comprised of 70% Grenache (60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah (30+ year-old vines), aged 6-8 months in 40% new oak barrels, it is essentially declassified Quintessence and comes from hillside vineyards lying between 840-930 feet in elevation. Bottled unfined and unfiltered and transparent ruby in color, it offers up a gorgeously pure, supple, and seamless profile with kirsch and berry styled fruit, licorice, and spring flower like qualities all emerging from the glass. Elegant, forward, and delicious, it gains in stature in the glass, is ridiculously textured from such an inexpensive wine, and has sweet tannin emerging on the finish. Buy this thrill ride of a Côtes du Ventoux by the case and enjoy bottles over the coming 3-5 years." Mars 2013 - Issue#152011: 91/1002010: 91/1002008: 87/1002007: 90/1002006: 88/1002005: 90/1002003: 85/100

Terrasses Blanc

2017 : 91/100 "The 2017 Ventoux Terrasses Blanc offers a vibrant, clean, pure bouquet of peach, pineapple, lime, and honeysuckle. This complex, nuanced, vibrant white has good acidity, loads of character, and a clean, juicy finish that keeps you coming back to the glass." Rhône Report - Août 20182012: 89/100 "Only the second year for this new cuvee, the 2012 Terrasses blanc is a blend of 70% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, and 15% Clairette, with everything but the Clairette, which is aged in concrete, aged in stainless steel. More exotic and rich than the Le Paradou, it possesses a core of chalky minerality and charcoal to go with big melon, peach, and tropical notions on the nose. Rich, clean, and classy, with building richness, it’s a versatile white the will shine on its own or with a meal." Mars 2013 - Issue#152010: 88/100

Paradou Grenache

2012: 90/100 "The 2012 Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Le Paradou is an awesome value! Made from 100% Grenache (75-year-old vines) and aged 7 months in concrete tank, it offers up a naked expression of Grenache with meaty black cherry, pepper, dried Provencal herbs, and earth all soaring from the glass. Medium to full-bodied, brilliantly pure, and fresh, it has enough tannin to allow it to evolve gracefully for 3-4 years. It’s a knockout value and this crowd pleaser should not be missed!" Mars 2013 - Issue#15

Decanter - November 2009

Decanter - June 2003

The 18th-century Château Pesquié with 72ha of vines is the appellation's showcase estate. Its top wine, Quintessence, made only in good years, shows some Ventoux wines can benefit from ageing in new oak and also improve with bottle age. Prestige Côtes du ventoux 1997 "This has good round herbal fruit with just a hint of earthiness... **** (4 Stars)

Decanter - September 2003

With its elegant 18th-century Provençal house, the show estate of the Ventoux is Paul Chaudière's Château Pesquié in Mormoiron, about 10km east of Carpentras. There are 72ha of vines spread acrosss even properties all within 5km of the château, with 7.5ha used for vin de pays. The wines live up to the image of the château. The principal varieties are Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier. Pesquie's top wine is Quintessence (a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache)... Quintessence 2000 **** (4 stars) Lovely gamey notes with rich black fruits, vanilla and milky chocolate. Wonderful concentration, plummy fruits and chocolatey finish...

Artemia

2012: 90/100 (October 31rst 2014)Frankly toasty but well-integrated, with a polished frame of mocha around a core of alluring plum sauce, warmed fig and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors. The mocha profile takes an encore on the finish, while a floral flicker adds range and contrast. 2011: 90/100 (October 31rst 2013)A dark, frankly toasty style, with a strong ganache and roasted apple wood frame married to the plum compote, hoisin sauce and blackberry notes. Displays a muscular, briary edge on the finish, with the toast integrating pleasantly. Amped up, but enjoyable. 2010: 91/100 (Web only - 2013)Toasted but integrated, featuring plush plum sauce and raspberry ganache notes, with ample espresso and roasted mesquite accents framing the mouthfilling finish. A pumped-up style, but balanced and focused. 2007: 92/100 (November 15th 2010)A dark, toasty style, with alluring espresso, warm fig paste and raspberry ganache aromas and flavors, but stays silky, fresh and stylish, with enticing anise, violet and graphite notes stretching out the lengthy finish. Grenache and Syrah.2005: 87/100 (November 15th 2008)Quite toasty, with a burly edge to the cocoa, chestnut and coffee notes, all backed by fleshy dark currant, bittersweet cocoa and game notes. A sauvage streak runs through the finish. For fans of the style. Equal parts Grenache and Syrah.2004: 85/100 (Web only - 2010) Mature, with bacony toast and cocoa powder notes holding sway over mulled plum and cherry fruit flavors. Licorice and spice notes linger on the toasty finsh. Good, though the toast is holding this together more now than the fruit.

Quintessence Rouge

2013: 90/100 (June 24th 2015)An amped-up style, with a strong dose of dark vanilla and licorice notes coating the core of crusheed plum and raspberry pâte de fruit. Syrah and Grenache.2012: 89/100 (October 31rst 2014)A dark, toasty style, with ganache and espresso notes leading the way for dark plum, fig and blackberry paste flavors. A cocoa edge lingers through the finish, showing good cut and definition.2011: 89/100 (October 31rst 2013)Dark and winey, with layers of velvety plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit stitched with briar and cocoa powder. A pastis hint threads through the finish. This has solid guts, but needs a touch of cellaring. Best from 2014 through 2017.2010: 90/100 (Web only - 2013)A darkly toasted style, with anise and mocha leading the way for a sold core of crushed plum and boysenberry fruit. A singed apple wood note drives the finish.2008: 88/100 (Web only - 2010) This is liberally toasted, with mocha and fruitcake notes up front, followed by lightly firm-edged blueberry and boysenberry fruit. Dark licorice and spice notes take over on the full-bodied finish. An ambitious style, this is a good effort for the vintage. Syrah and Grenache.2007: 88/100 (Web only - 2009)A plump, toasty style, with lots of spice and fig cake notes up front, followed by a medium-weight core of black licorice and crushed plum fruit. Slightly firm toast frames the finish.2006: 88/100 (Web only - 2010)Mature and stylish, with mesquite and black tea notes leading the way for mulled plum and spice hints, followed by a lingering note of dried fruitcake on the finish.2003: 90/100 (October 15th 2006)Ambitious, with lots of mocha- and coffee-infused toast. Yet has the currant and black cherry fruit to back it up, with intriguing notes of tar and game chiming in on the finish. Impressive for the appellation.

Quintessence Blanc

2013: 86/100 (web only 2015)A broad, tropical style, with creamed melon and peach flavors that glide along, carried by brioche and wet straw notes. Showy at first but a touch blowsy in the end. Roussane and Clairette.2012: 88/100 (October 31rst 2014)A plump, toasty style, with ginger, warm brioche, glazed pear and apple flavors, balanced by a lingering hazelnut edge. A crowd-pleaser that comes up just a touch short on zip in the end.2011: 88/100 (Web only - 2013)Offers plump creamed melon, peach and brioche flavors, with a floral thread for balance and a modestly juicy finish.2008: 90/100 (November 15th 2010)Quite ripe and lush for the vintage, with creamed peach and yellow apple flavors well-layered with heather, lemon zest and citrus oil, followed by a long finish. Delicious. Roussanne and Clairette.2006: 87/100 (Web only - 2008)Quite plump, with peach, lemon curd and melon notes followed by a round, rich finish. There's more weight than purity, but this is tasty. Roussanne and Clairette.2005: 86/100 (November 15th 2006)Broad, forward and very soft, with graham, peach cobbler and powdered ginger notes that will have some fans. Yet falls a bit soft in the end, with a hint of baked apple.2004: 86/100 (Web only - 2006)Ripe and pleasantly firm, with peach and floral notes followed by a clean minerally finish.

Article DrinkRhone - October 2016

Artemia 2014 ***(*)Dark red, purple and some black tints as well. The nose is sweet and a little savoury, gives appealing and ebullient blackberry fruit with licorice and salt present, some oak hints. This bustles along, with Syrah inspired black cherry, gourmand fruit; it has a free wheeling, juicy nature on the attack, then moves into a tighter, grain-oak late stage. The fruit is wholesome and clear, has purity. The acidity is fine; this is a polished wine that is suave, not full-blooded. The aftertaste combines licorice-oak, black cherry coulis. Copious and obvious it is.

Artemia 2015 ****(casks) Dark red robe, good depth. There is a lot of reduction on the nose, but beyond lies an aroma of stewed red fruits with a near farmyard angle, burnt rubber. It’s disorderly, gives raspberry with a little blueberry, some nutshells. This drinks with enjoyable gras richness, has style, gives good, fluid content, savoury and smooth. There are salty moments on the second half, a relative fineness, a flattering elegance. The length is there, fresh, and the balance is good. Black pepper and a tiny, discreet note of herbs come along on the exit. Post bottling it may well need decanting.

Quintessence red 2014 ***Dark plum colour. Has a raisin, prune, ripely fruited aroma that even carries some date, has a density of near over-ripeness, oak-vanilla traces. It seems a mass market rather than a connoisseur’s wine. The palate is a mix of mulled black fruits and oak on the fringes. It is largely made in the cellar, with the vineyard ripeness over accentuated – I would like the vineyard and nature to speak more. It would benefit from a more laissez-faire approach. It rests in the mainstream of southern wines due to its preparation. Syrah from the deep south, without tension: hmm. It’s not easy to kick back and drink this freely, with open enjoyment.

Quintessence white 2015 ****(casks) very dark robe. Pistacchio nutshells, cassis, black fruit and a hum of oak come forward on the nose. It’s tight, reserved, has a red meat depth. It is a compact, solid bouquet. Oak makes it square in shape for now. The palate gives a cosy, fluid gras richness, with plump matter at its heart, and some embedded tannin as it goes. Blueberry, a trickle of black fruit, emerges as it ends. The lift on the finish is important in allowing it to finish with energy and to create the desire for a second glass. Take your time with this grounded, oaked wine. It is very long, has fine juice within. It is bulky from its oak.

Terrasses white 2015 ***(*)firm yellow robe. Viognier dominates the nose via a rich pear aroma with apricot alongside; there is a touch of freshness, greengage pulm, a hint of exotic fruits. It is big and exuberant. The palate rolls out a generous flavour, vanilla and apricot juice, pear skin. It closes on some tang, grip, a note of dried fruits, which helps it avoid dropping away. This holds very little back – its guns blaze. It’s not an aperitif wine – drink it with sauced fish, Asian cuisine, pork. It has the vintage power, and a relative low acidity. Open a few days, it is still very much in the game, has stylish body.

Article Drinrhone.com - October 2013

Artemia :

***(*) 2012 : “Dark robe, plenty of depth. Oak tar-charcoal top seasoning on the nose, with a pretty stylish black-fruited coulis air below, simmered fruits. Young, very much starting out, wide and clear. A lot in the bouquet – good. The palate presents a smooth, modern, streamlined face: its fruit is sleek, travels a long way in unfettered fashion. It has a calm siding of nutty tannin; it ends on black olive, a tang of tar. Bordeaux-style polish presented here – this isn’t local now. There is fine acidity in its fruit. Plenty to go to town with over time.” From 2016. 2023-24 Oct 2013

*** 2011 : healthy, shiny raspberry red colour. The nose is past its first youth, at an intermediate stage, so its fruit is subdued but present. Has a mulberry fruit depth, some oak-smoke lying over it. The style is pretty polished. The palate is also on the move, hence it gives blackberry fruit and a nutty, granular line along it; it ends on that grainy crunch. The fruit is only peeping through now, and towards the finish builds more of a note of compote of black fruits on the finish, the 2011 fat. Its alcohol weight holds it back at the end. A bit flattering, which camouflages its so-so balance, entirely due to the vintage. From mid-2015. 14.5°. 2019-20 Oct 2013

Quintessence rouge :

**** 2012 : (casks) dark, full robe to the brim. There is good life in a young bouquet, which involves appealing black cherry fruit with an inlay of oak, has a quiet ripe sweetness. also tucked in is a little thyme, an air of crushed nut shells, black olives. The palate holds delightful fruit and foundation of flavour, a real winner. Classy depth here, and elegant length. The Syrah brings flair to the steady, rich virtues of the Grenache. Highly promising, easy to like, but also a serious, well-balanced wine. Altitude is a definite help to it. It is a sort of Bordeaux-shaped Rhône, still tarry on the aftertaste from its casks. There is great style in its richness. Cool climate over garrigue, but it has some local pedigree. Excellent, long wine. From spring 2015, when it will be more ensemble, its fruit still very active. 14.5°. 2021-22 Oct 2013

*** 2011 : thick, dark robe. The bouquet breathes a chocolate, brewed black fruit, prune air, a large mass present, bolstered by notes of black fruit pastilles, with a ripe, earthy overhang. The palate is more nuanced than the nose – its richness is tasty, gourmand, and aided by fine sides of acidity, a sprinkle of local southern dust to terminate. It handles its degree – 15.5° - comfortably, is well charged. Still, you have so sip rather than drink it freely, with a beef daube, for instance, casseroles, venison. Its inlay of sweetness is agreeable, but in limited amounts. From mid-2014. 2019-20 Oct 2013

Quintessence blanc :

*** 2012 : medium yellow, wee vanilla notes. Suave, creamy oak-vanilla flan-brioche aroma, emphasizes fat and la table beckons over the aperitif. The palate mixes in discreet richness, offers more fine matter than fat with its oak. It continues well, the oak firming the finish. Has a cooked peach flavour, some nutty tang. It presents a rectangle in shape today due to the oak, rather than a lissom sphere. Interesting possibilities for a second stage, for instance around 2016. Has nice bone in it, a pear fruit finish. Drink with chicken, fowl, soft cheese. 13°. 2018-19 Oct 2013

***(*) 2011 : comfortable yellow, legs; the bouquet is quietly harmonious – it offers cooked or glazed fruits, peach with apricot skin. The palate is stylish, has a gourmand, refined debut, centres on a white strawberry, quince flavour that is lucid, even if the wine is dumb now, closing a bit. The finish is en finesse, all is OK for a second coming – around 2015 it will show with some élan. It has some upright tension and grip. There are lime notes on the aftertaste. 13°. To 2019. Oct 2013

Terrasses rouge :

*** 2012 : comfortable dark red. This has a simmered prune-blackberry aroma with a sweet, rosemary scent above it. The nose is bonny, easy to appreciate, gives a slight under-air of earthiness, is bright and free. The attack is bright, cool. Good, salty tang renders this easy to drink, to capture its fluid early black fruit, before more dark intent enters, a touch of tar handed out: it has a typical 2012 profile, thus. Just about OK for solo drinking, or with sausages, grills, saucisson – it would set up a meal very well with the last-named – before a more rich, considered red was drunk later. I like its verve now. 14°. 2016-17 Oct 2013

*** 2011 : quite sombre red colour. Has a plump, gummy air of a nose starting to evolve, has “high”, reduction notes, a little butter and flowers feature with simmered raspberry. The palate delivers a steady, unspectacular start, but builds up a round, sweet mid to late palate with a stewed red fruit flavour that has dust and spice in it. The ending is pretty clear, mot especially long, so it shows 2011 characteristics. It drinks well now, gives facile enjoyment. It is more on texture than the 2012. 14°. To 2016 Oct 2013

Terrasses blanc :

***(*) 2012 : pale, shiny sub-yellow. Pronounced, up and at ‘em nose, a wave of compote of white fruits, some banana ripeness, plus a crisp white plum, gooseberry zest, nearly Sauvignon. The palate is easily drinkable, has roundness and attractive depth, sprinkles alert, lively white fruits with a salty tang in them. Free wheeling white Rhône, good wine that lasts well, gives a final tingle of elder and licorice, sound cut. A lot to like: it holds a fine spot of richness, is a w.o.w.* wine, suited to the aperitif. 12.5°. 2016-17 Oct 2013 *w.o.w. what one wants: wine that delivers easy pleasure, with no pretension. Open these bottles, and get on with the simple art of enjoyment.

May 2014

MARKUS DEL MONEGO MW (88/100) "Dark purple red with violet hue and black centre. Opulent nose with ripe berry fruit. On the palate well balanced with juicy character, good weight and rather good lenght."

June 2013

Artemia 2010 : 90/100ANDREAS LARSSON (90/100) "Ambitious and dark fruity nose with some new oak, spices, leather and liquorice. The palate is rich and full with ripe but firm tannins, good freshness, spicy dark fruit, some new oak and a long powerfull finish."

Quintessence 2011 : 88/100ANDREAS LARSSON (88/100) "Dark plum and jammed fruits, some sweet spices and herbs, soft and juicy palate, rather full with chewy and a long finish. Generous and bold."

MARKUS DEL MONEGO MW (88/100) "Dark purple red with violet hue and black centre. Quiet concentrated, well structured nose, with potential. On the palate, opulent and well balanced with rather good length."

MARKUS DEL MONEGO MW (91/100) "Dark, purple red with violet hue and black centre. Opulent and aromatic with slightly pyrotechnical notes, smoky, but well structured fruits in the background. On the palate well balanced with firm tannins, good structure and length. A wine with potential.

30ème Concours des Vins de la Foire d'Avignon 2016

29ème Concours des Vins de la Foire d'Avignon 2014

Muscat de Beaume de Venise 2013 : Médaille de Bronze

28ème Concours des Vins de la Foire d'Avignon 2013

Terrasses Rosé 2012 : Médaille d'Argent

Divers Europe

Irish Times November 28th 2015

The Good Taste of independant wine importersParadou Viognier 2014 : "Bottle of the Week"http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/drink/the-good-taste-of-independent-wine-importers-1.2443298

Evan Saviolidis - November Wine Ratings 2015

91 Château Pesquié Les Terrasses 2014, Ventoux "Pesquié, the undeniable star of the Ventoux, continues to churn out impressive wines at all price points. The 2014 Les Terrasses possesses a black/purple colour and doles out violets, crème de cassis, kirsch, oregano, anise, olive and graphite. Full bodied and concentrated, the plummy tannins will ensure a decade of aging. For the price, make sure to pick up a few bottles for the cellar. (ES)"http://www.evanwinesavvy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=39&Itemid=61

Best value wines decided by experts by Anthony Gismondi, Special To The Sun - October 16, 2015

Wine Align

Terrasses Rouge 2014 : 90 points David Lawrason : This is a smooth, juicy and fairly dense young blend of grenache-syrah. Expect lifted, savoury and intriguing aromas of ripe plum, black pepper, lavender and mild chocolate - very complex and fine for the money. It's rounded, a bit hottish, juicy and fresh. Surprising depth and complexity for the money. Some tannin. Excellent value here. Tasted Sept 2015, 90 points Sara d'Amato : An exceptional example of how Provençal wines can capture the essence of region. Garrigue, or notes of wild brush, lavender, thyme and dusty earth are well-represented from the nose to the finish of this fleshy wine. Medium-bodied and well balanced by freshness and a notable mineral character. Excellent length. Drink now to 2018. Tasted September 2015, 90 points

"(...)Steeped in history, what is now Chateau Pesquié passed through the hands of a large number of Lords, including the Counts of Mormoiron, the Lords of Maubec and the Marquis de Reilhanette. Seriously overlooked and supremely undervalued Château Pesquié Côtes du Ventoux Quintessence marries 80 per cent Syrah and 20 per cent Grenache in a very 'heady' red. It overflows with flavours of black liquorice, earthy charcoal, blackberry, black currant and black cherry notes in a spicy blend that truly captures that 'meaty' quality so many great French red wines showcase. Try to keep a few for at least five years, if you can find them."